Electric circuit controller for electric sign flashers, signaling devices, and similar mechanisms



June 18, 1935.

L LAIB ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC SIGN FLASHE SIGNALING DEVICES AND SIMILAR MECHANISMS Filed Sept. 24, 1928 2 Sheet s-Sheet l W. L. LAIB June 18, 1935. 0 2,005,230

ELECTRIC CIRCUIT CONTROLLER FOR ELECTRIC SIGN FLASHERS, SIGNALING DEVICES AND SIMILAR MECHANISMS Filed Sept. '24, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 R I M Patented June 18, 1935 UNITED STATES ELECTRIC CIRCUIT ELECTRIC CONTROLLER FOR SIGN FLASHERS, SIGNALING DEVICES, AND SIMILAR MECHANISMS William L.- lfl b. Oa

Park, 111., assignor to R ynolds Elect c C mpany, Chicago, 111., a

orp ratio o I n is Application September 24, 1928, sci-a1 No. 308,060

8 la ms.

This invention relates to electric circuit contcoliers adapted to he used for controlling the circuits for electric sign flashers, signaling devices, or similar electric devices, and more particularly g to electric circuit controllers adapted to cause a phlrality of circuits, .or electric lamps or similar electrical devices, to be lighted or energized intermittently or in predetermined order.

The principal obiectof this invention is to proin vide a simple, economical and efficient electric circuit controller, adapted to be used for controlling the circuit or circuits of electric sign flashers, signaling devicesor similar mechanisms.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved electric circuit controller comprising one or more stationary contacts or pairs of contacts, and one or more movable contacts or bridging contact members adapted to be moved into and out of electrically conductive engagement with a. corresponding stationary contact or pair of contacts, with improved actuating means for moving such movable contacts into and out of engagement with tho contacts to be connected or engaged thereby, for controlling or making and breaking the circuit or circuits intermittently, in predetermined order, or as desired, and in an ediclent manner.

Other and further objects .0! the invention will appear from the following description and claims, and from an inspection of the accompanying drawings which are made a part hereof.

The invention consists in the features, combinations, details of construction, and arrangement and mode of operation of elements herein do- T35 scribed and claimed. I

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a view in central longitudinal seet-ion of a circuit controller constructed in accordance with my invention, and comprising a series 40 of eight movable individual circuit-controller devices or movable contacts each associated with a stationary pair of contaotstobe engaged and disengaged thereby, all of said movable contacts being operativeiy connected with and adapted to be actuated by a single rotative actuating device or cam and gear mechanism, the upper movable contacts and individual circuit controller devices being shown in sect/loo, and the lower ones being shown in elevation;

50 Fig. '2 is a view in transverse section, taken on line 2-4 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction indieated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a detail side view of the cam shownin i 1;

K Mg. 4 is a detail view in transverse section,

the usual winding I! and within which the rotor and said driving shaft 14. The shaft H is thus taken on line 3.3 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows, and showing a face of the cam shown in Figs. 1 and 3, with four reciprocating contact-actuating plungers shown in section, in position to be engaged and released 5 by the rotative cam; and I Fig. .5 is a detail view of a modified form of reciprocating contact-actuating plunger and connected .contacteactuating mechanism.

In constructing an improved circuit controller for electric sign flashers, signaling devices or similar electrical devices, in accordance with my invention, I provide a frame I which may be of any desired or suitable form adapted to support the working parts and otherparts of the device in proper relation and to permit the operation of the device in an efficientmanner. The frame shown in the accompanying drawings is adapted to be attached to or may form a part of a motor frame or casing 2 which contains an electric mofor 5 having a rotor or armature 4 on and rotative with the motor shaft 5 which is rotatively mounted in suitable journal bearings B in the motor frame, and a stator or field magnet 1 having or armature is adapted to rotate. The motor may, of course, be .of any desired ordinary and well known or suitable form, and is provided with the usual commutator and brushes-not shownand suitable, conductors 9 and It, for connecting the motor with a dynamo or source of electric supply. Upright transverse frame members ll, 42, 1! are provided and, by preference, attached to the motor frame 2 or to a base 13 which may extend beneath and form a support for the motor frame and said transverse frame members, all of which may be fixed to the same base. A central rotative driving shaft H is mounted in suitable journal bearings I5 and H5 in the transverse frame member H and motor frame respectively, and in journal bearings H, I1 in the transverse frame members l2, II, of which latter any desired number may be employed, according to requirements which may depend upon the capacity of the machine or number .of circuits to be controlled. The shaft II is operatively connected with and adapted to be driven by .the armature shaft or motor shaft .5, by means .of suitable gearing which may comprise a gear wheel l8 fixed to the. armature shaft .5, a gear wheel 19 fixed to the shaft ll and .a train of gears 20 located in the gear casing or gear chamber H of the motor and in toothed engagement with and forming an operatlve connection between the armature shaft 5 operatively connected with and adapted to be driven by the armature shaft 5 of the motor.

The machine shown in the accompanying drawings is intended and adapted to control or make and break intermittently, or in predetermined order, or as required, one or more electric circuits, for example, eight or more circuits when the entire capacity of the machine isto be utilized, or any desired number of circuits less than the maximum capacity, if desired.

In constructing an electric circuit controller or improved circuit breaker, in accordance with my invention, I provide, by preference, aplurality 0r multiplicity of individual circuit-breaker devices or individual circuit-controller devices 22, each of which has one or more, preferably a pair of stationary contacts 23 mounted in a stationary support which consists of a frame member l2 provided with suitable openings for receiving said stationary contacts. Each contact 23 is mounted in a supporting sleeve or bushing 24 formed of. insulating material, such, for example,

as hard rubberor fiber and contained in a corresponding opening in the supporting frame member [2. Each contact 23 is providedwith a binding post or screw 25 mounted in and in screwthreaded engagement with a screw-threaded axial opening in such contact, and adapted to provide means for connecting such contact with an electric circuit, and with one ormore electric lamps or otherv electrical devices to be lighted or energized. Each individual circuit-controller or breaker ,22 comprisesza movable circuit-closer 26 which includes a movablebridgingcontact member 21 consisting of anannular metallic contact plate adapted, to be moved into and out of electrical contact with a corresponding stationary contact or pair of contacts 23, for making and breaking the circuit with which such contacts are connected. Each movable contact 21 has an axial opening through which loosely extends a longitudinally movable reciprocating plunger 28, said plunger being mounted in suitable bearings 29 in the transverse frame member l2 and in an opening 30 inthe frame member I I through which the enlarged end of the plunger extends in position to be engaged and actuated by a rotative circuit-controller'cam 3|. mounted on and adapted to be rotated by the central driving shaft l4 already described.

, 'Each individual circuit-closer 26 also includes a peripherally toothed wheel 32 which is mounted on the corresponding reciprocating plunger 28, by preference, between a collar 33, fixed to the plunger, and an annular shoulder formed by the enlarged portion of the plunger, or similar or equivalent annular shoulders or shoulder-forming means; Each toothed wheel 32 adapted to rotate on or with the plunger on which it is mounted, and to be moved with and by means of the reciprocating plunger as the latter is reciprocated or moved endwise in the operation of closing or breaking the circuit to be controlled by said plunger and the circuit closer and controller device of which the plunger forms a part. Each peripherally toothed wheel 32 is operatively connected with a corresponding annular movable contact member 21 by connectingmeans which is adapted to cause the said movable contact memcompanying drawings there are four reciprocatber to be rotated or partially rotatedintermittently by and concurrently with the intermittent rotation of the toothed wheel.

In the form of the device shown in the accompanying drawings, the movable contact members .a sfunilarv connecting plate 38.

ing plates 31 and 38 are, by preference, of identiis thus between, to prevent overheating. Secured to each toothedwheel 32 on the inner side thereof,

is a connecting plate 31; and fixed to the inner side of eachcorresponding or opposed insulating disk 34, and thereby connected in rigid relation to the corresponding movable contact plate 21 is These connectcal form and dimensions, each consisting of a flat bodyiormed of sheet metal having a central Opening through which the plunger 28 ex- -tendsgand each of said plates having a pair of integral .marginal projecting parallel arms 39,

39, on one side of the axial center of the plate, and asingle integral marginal arm 40 projecting from the marginofthe same plate but on the opposite side of the axial center of the plate. The

single arm of each' plate extends between the parallel arms of the opposite plate; and each plate is thus operatively connectedwith the, opposite plate by means of two pairs. of parallel arms, each pair having a singlearm extending loosely therebetween and adapted topermit the movable contact plate .21 to move toward and from the corresponding toothed wheel 32 lengthwise of the plunger 28 on which said contact plate andtoothedv Wheel are mounted. A helical compression spring 4| is interposed between thetoothed wheel .32 and the movable contact member 21 of each circuit closer 26, andracts to hold the same normally spread apart or in'extended position. But

the ,tensionof the spring ,actsto permit but yieldpress'the movable contact toward the stationary contacts; and a collar 42 which is fixed to the plunger between the insulating disk 34 and the stationary contacts, limits the movementof the movable contact 21 lengthwise of the plunger in 3 the direction of the stationary contacts, and

serves to preventthe movable contact from'engaging the stationary contacts until the plunger .is moved lengthwisebythe action of the rotative cam 3| carrying withit the movable contact toward the stationary contacts and into circuitclosing positiom, A helical compression spring A3 is interposed 3 between'the collar 42 on the plunger 28 and the transverse frame member l2 of each individual circuit-controller device or circuit-closer, The movable contact 21 ofeach circuitcloser is thus moved out of contact with the adjacentstationary contacts 23 at the moment when the corresponding plunger .28 is released by the rotative cam 3|; and the corresponding circuit is thus broken,-to be again closed by the actuating means,,when the plunger and the movable contact member are moved in an opposite direction or against the tension of the circuitbreaker spring 43.

In the form of the device shown in the acing plungers 28 all mounted in parallel relation to each otherand in parallel relation to-the central power driven shaft [4; and all of said plungers are mounted in position to be operatively engaged and operated intermittently or in predetermined order, by one and the same rotative actuating means or cam 3| and shaft H. And each plunger 28, which may be in one piece or in sections, is operatively connected with one or more individual circuit controller devices 22 and circuit closers 26. For the sake of cleamess, it will be understood that each individual circuit-controller device or circuit breaker 2-2 includes a circuit closer 26, with its movable contact, and the means for breaking such individual circuit, such, for example, as the circuitbreaker spring 43, and that any desired number of individual circuit-controller devices 22 may be operatively connected with and operated by a single rotative circuit-controller device or cam 3|. There may be any desired number of rotative cams 3| connected with the same central rotative shaft II which is connected with the motor or source of power.

In the device shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, each of the longitudinally movable rotative plungers 28 is in two sections, and each plunger section is connected with an individual circuit-controller device 22, of which there are eight contained in the device shown in said figures all operatively connected with one and the same rotative actuating means or cam 3|. And a second cam 3| is also fixed to the power-driven shaft l4 and adapted to be operatively connected with any desired number of individual circuitcontroller devices or circuit-breakers 22. The individual circuit-controllers 22 shown, are arranged in two sets of four each, all of the toothed wheels 32 of each set being located in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the power driven rotative shaft H which has one or more toothed rotative members 44, by preference, in the form of a segmental toothed gear or gears on and adapted to rotate with said shaft, and each adapted to operatively engage and intermittently rotate the toothed wheels 32 of the corresponding set of individual reciprocating intermittently rotative circuit-closers 26.

Each of the circuit-closer rotators or segmental gears 44 is, by preference, provided with a pair of peripheral teeth 45 which are spaced apart circumferentially of the gear and adapted to enter the recesses 46 between the teeth 46' of the respective adjacent gear wheels 32, for intermittently rotating the circuit-closers in predetermined order and synchronously with respect to the reciprocatory movements of said circuit-closers, including the movable bridging contactors 21, and plungers 28, all of which are reciprocated in one direction by the rotative cam or cams 3|, to circuit-closing position, and in an opposite direction by springs 43, to circuitbreaking position. v

The peripheral surfaces located between the teeth 45 of the rotators M are, by preference, adapted to engage the opposed concave outer peripheral margins of the teeth 46' on the gear wheels 32 and interrupt the rotation of the same, and thus interrupt the rotation of the individual circuit-closers including said movable reciprocatory bridging contactors 21 when the latter are in fixed abutting engagement with the stationary contacts 23, or in circuit-closing position.

The individual circuit-closers 22 and the respective movable bridging contactors 21, thus have a reciprocatory movement longitudinally of the respective reciprocatory plungers, and a rotative movement around the axes of the plungers, respectively. I

Said circuit-closers and movable bridging contactors are actuated in one direction of their reciprocatory movements by the cam or cams 3| and plungers 28, and in an opposite direction by the respective springs 43, and are intermittently rotated by the segmental toothed gear or gears N concurrently with the reciprocatory movements of the movable contactors respectively into and out of engagement with the corresponding stationary contacts and also while in sliding engagement with the contact surfaces of the stationary contacts. The intermittent rotative movements which are thus caused to occur during the reciprocatory movements of the movable contactors into and out of circuit-closing position and by means of which the contact surfaces of the movable contactors are caused to move obliquely or in an angular direction relatively to the contact'surfaces of the stationary contacts instead of directly and perpendicularly away from said contact surfaces tends to reduce to a minimum and to prevent arcing. The rotative movement of the movable contactors which occur while the surfaces of the respective movable contactors are in sliding contact with the opposed contact surfaces of the corresponding stationary contacts, causes all of the engaged contact surfaces to be kept bright and clean and in proper condition to insure good contacts and good conductivity; and the interruption and stopping of the movable contactors respectively, in fixed abutting engagement with the contact surfaces of the corresponding stationary contacts for a definite period, and, by preference, during a major portion of the periods in which the respective movable contactors are in circuit-closing position and in contact with the stationary contacts, also tends to provide perfect contacts between the engaged contact surfaces and to insure good conductivity and a high degree of efficiency in operation.

A one-piece reciprocating plunger 41 may be substituted for each sectional plunger 23 as shown in the modification illustrated in Fig. 5. In such a modified form of circuit-controller constructed in accordance with my invention the rotation of the intermittently rotative reciprocatory plunger 41 will cause all of the individual circuit controllers 22, including the individual circuit-closers 26 and bridging contactors 21 mounted on such plunger to rotate withthe plunger; and ob viously, only one segmental gear 44 is required on shaft M, for rotating the entire set of plungers 41, of which there may be four or any desired number. It follows, of course, that only one toothed gear 32 fixed to each plunger 41 and in toothed engagement with the segmental gear 44 on the power-driven shaft l4 will be required in such modified form, as indicated in Fig. 5. In all other substantial respects the modified form is constructed and adapted to operate substantially the same as the device above described and shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive.

The electric circuits to be controlled may be of any ordinary and well known or desired form, and may be connected with electric lamps of electric signs, signaling lamps or other signaling devices, such, for example as signaling devices for controlling or guiding traific, or other electrical devices to be energized, operated or controlled.

For example, a positive line wire 48 which communicates with a source of electric supply, may be connected with any desired number of electric lamps 49 or other electric devices to be energized, operated or controlled, and one of the contacts 23 with its binding post 25 of eachpair of stationary contacts 23, is connected with one or more of said lamps or electrical devices, the other one of each of said pairs of contacts 23 being connectedwith the negative line or return wire leading to said. source of electric supply. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2, one or more of said electric lamps or electrical devices may be connected with one of the contacts 23 of a given pair of said contacts by a conductor wire 5|, another one or more of said. electrical devices with a contact 23 of another pair of said contacts by a wire 52, another one or more of said electrical devices with a contact 23 of a third pair of said contacts by a wire 53, and another one or more of said lamps or electrical devices with a contact 23 of a fourth pair of said contacts by a Wire 54, and so on for any desired number of lamps or electrical devices and pairs of contacts, the opposite contact 23 of each pair of said contacts being connected with the negative line or return wire 50 by suitable electrically conductive connecting means, such, for example as one or more wires 55. And the motor 2 may be connected with the positive line 48 by wire 9, and with the negative line 50 by wire ID, or with any ordinary or desired suitable source of electric supply.

I claim:

1. A switch mechanism, comprising a series of contact members arranged in groups and individualized to electrical circuits, companion contact elements for cooperating with said contact members to control the respective electrical circuits, connecting means mechanically connecting the contact elements of each group for simultaneous action, means including a Geneva movement mechanism for successively actuating the groups of the series, and devices associated with said last mentioned means for effecting sliding engagement between the contact members and contact elements.

2. A switch mechanism, comprising a series of contact members arranged in groups and individualized to electrical circuits, companion contact elements for cooperating with said contact members to control the respective electrical circuits, plungers connecting the contact elements of each group, means associated therewith for actuating said plungers whereby electrical contact is periodically established between the. contact members and contact elements in predetermined sequence, and devices associated with said means whereby said contact elements are moved during engagement with said contact members, said devices being operable through said plungers and including, an intermittent movement mechanism.

3. A switch mechanism, comprising a series of contact members arranged in groups and individualized to electrical circuits, companion contact elements for cooperating with said con? tact members to control the respective electrical circuits, plungers connecting the contact elements of each group, means associated therewith for actuating said plungers whereby electrical contact is periodically established between the contact members and contact elements in predetermined sequence, and devices associated with said means whereby said contact elements are moved during engagement with said contact members, said devices being operable through said plungers and including Geneva gears carried by the plungers and companion actuating elements arranged for movement with said means. 7 Y 7 I V 4. A switch mechanism, comprising a series of contact members arranged in groupsand individualized to electrical circuits, companion contact elements for cooperating with said contact members to control the respective electrical circuits, plungers connecting the contact elements of each group, means associated therewith for actuating said plungers whereby electrical contact isperiodically established between the contact members and control elements in predetermined sequence, and devices associated with said means whereby said contact elements are moved during engagement withv said contact members, said devices being operable through said plungers. and including Geneva gears individualized to each set of contact members and contact elements of the groups carried by the plungers and companion actuating elements arranged for movement with said means.

5. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a pair of stationary contacts adapted to be connected with an electric circuit, a movable contactor, a reciprocatory plunger operatively connected with said movable contactor, for moving the same into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts, a-rotative cam in engagement with said plunger and adapted to rotate upon an axis which is parallel to the axis of the latter for operating the same in one direction, to cause said movable contactor to engage said stationary contacts, means for operating said plunger inan opposite direction, to move said movable contactor out of engagement with the stationary contacts, and gear mechanism connected with said cam and operatively connected with said movable contactor, for intermittently rotating the same.

6. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a pair of stationary contacts, a movable bridging contactor, ,a reciprocatory plunger operatively connected with said movable contactor, a rotative cam in engagement with said plunger and adapted to rotate upon an axis which is parallel to the axis of the latter, for operating the same in one direction, to cause said movable contactor to engage said stationary contacts, resilient means in operative engagement with said plunger, for operating the same in an opposite direction, and acting to move said mov able contactor out of engagement with'the stationary contacts, a rotative shaft connected with said cam, and gear mechanism connected with said shaft and operatively connected with said movable contactor, for intermittently rotating the same.

'7. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a plurality of pairs of stationary contacts each adapted to be connected with an electric circuit, a movable bridging contactor for each of said pairs of stationary contacts, respectively, a reciprocatory plunger operatively connected with each of said movable bridging contactors respectively, for moving the same in successive order into and out of engagement with the corresponding pair of stationary contacts, a rotative cam in operative engagementwith a plurality of said plungers, for operating the same in one direction, means for operating the respective plungers in an opposite direction, and means operatively connected with said rotative cam and with each of said movable contactors, for intermittently rotating the said movable contactors respectively in synchronized relation to the reciprocatory movements of the same.

8. In a mechanism of the class described, the combination of a plurality of pairs of stationary contacts each adapted to be connected with an electric circuit, a movable bridging contactor for each of said pairs of stationary contacts respectively, a reciprocatory plunger in operative engagement with each of said movable contactors respectively, for moving the same into and out of engagement with the corresponding pair of stationary contacts, a rotative cam in operative engagement with a plurality of said plungers, for operating the same in one direction in prede termined successive order respectively, a rotative driving shaft connected with said cam, means for connecting said driving shaft with a source of power, gear mechanism mounted on each of said reciprocatory plungers respectively and operatively connected with the corresponding movable contactors on said plungers respectively, and. gear mechanism on said driving shaft and in operative engagement with said gear mechanism on said plungers respectively, for intermittently rotating the respective movable contactors in synchronized relation to the reciprocatory movements of the same, whereby said mechanism is adapted to control and synchronize said electric circuits.

WILLIAM L. LAIB. 

